by John Ritchie
Outside it is Autumn again. The first Autumn, since I met you walking your dog, we haven’t been out together collecting leaves. I always tried to help, but you told me with great seriousness that you couldn’t just pick any old leaves, they had to have special properties. To this day I have no idea what those properties are, but every now and then you would take one of the dozens I’d scooped up and say, ‘Oh, yes, well done, that one’s perfect.’
When I knew you better and you took me home, I discovered you rubbed lanolin into the leaves you gathered to stop them drying out and kept them in bowls in the room where you wrote your lovely poetry.
Now you’re gone, I hear Nat King Cole sing about ‘Ol, winner’s song’, but like him, I miss you most, my darling, when Autumn leaves start to fall.
–
John Ritchie used to be an old softie; nowadays he is a lot chewier.
The Pygmy Giant 
#1 by Sandra on November 22, 2011 - 9:06 am
A very moving flash John, the brevity of which enhances its allure. Well done.
#2 by Oonah on November 22, 2011 - 11:43 am
Ogh Sean, you brought a tear to ma een xxx
#3 by John Ritchie on November 22, 2011 - 5:49 pm
Thank you, Sandra, for reading and commenting so thoughtfully.
Best
john
#4 by John Ritchie on November 22, 2011 - 5:52 pm
Hi Surface
That’s me alright, reducing the girl’s to tears. However, once I stopped eating garlic things improved dramatically.
Thank you for reading and commenting so lachrymoniously.
Best
John
#5 by linesofcommunication on November 23, 2011 - 11:55 am
Thoroughly enjoyed the telling of this.
#6 by Gerry on November 24, 2011 - 7:07 pm
Lovely, John.
#7 by fionaj83 on November 24, 2011 - 9:00 pm
What a lovely, heartfelt piece.
#8 by Naila on November 27, 2011 - 11:59 am
Brilliantly written, short, sweet and moving
#9 by John Ritchie on December 3, 2011 - 12:03 pm
Thak you L-O-C for reading and commenting so kindly. Much appreciated.
John
#10 by John Ritchie on December 3, 2011 - 12:05 pm
Thank you, Gerry.
John
#11 by John Ritchie on December 3, 2011 - 12:06 pm
Many thanks, Fiona, for such a kind comment.
Best
John
#12 by John Ritchie on December 3, 2011 - 12:06 pm
Thank you for your lovely comment, Naila
Best
John